Introduction
What we think of as sound art did not start in china till the 1990s. What we think is the westernized version of it. But the form of sound art has been prominent in China for thousands of years.
China has created many interesting acoustic creations such as the echo wall surrounding The Imperial Vault of Heaven. This place is more welcoming known for the wall that surrounds the building. The wall is referred to typically as the ‘Echo Wall’. The way this wall works that is the bricks are laid so it is completely air-tight. This makes wireless communication happen with two people who speak in their normal voices.
Artists
Qiu Zhiiie – Qiu Zhiiie is a contempary Chinese artist. She works with Video, Sound and Photography. Her work explores themes of social fragmentation (people becoming more attached to the digital world creating a divide of the ‘digital world’ and ‘real world’. She also explores themes of self assertion.
Christiaan Virant – Virant spent most of his young life in south China but moved to Beijing sometime in the mid-1990s. Christiaan was a very active member of the underground music scene of Beijing. In the year 1999, he formed a group calledFM3, Who are pioneers of electronic experimental music in China.
He has also worked with Throbbing Gristle. Christiaan is well known for develop his own types of pedals, he co created the Buddha Machine loop device in 2005 and then developed a loop pedal for the aforementioned group throbbing gristle.
Here is an example of his work Christiaan Virant & Zhang Jian: Buddha Machine 1-5 Box Set [@ 432 Hz]
The work is quite calming, it feels like he is mixing both traditional instruments with more modern technology. And it creates quite a soothing and relaxing atmosphere. Very much something I will be further looking into.
Artworks & Hotspots
The Imperial Vault of Heaven (Echo Wall)
The Bionzhong of Morquis Yi of Zen
Christiaan Virant & Zhang Jian: Buddha Machine 1-5 Box Set [@ 432 Hz]
SomsonYoung Im thinking in a room,different from the one you are hearing now (homage to Alvin Lucier),2011.
Conclusion/Future Work
China has a lot to offer in terms of sound art. China is so disconnected from the world we live in, in terms of culture. Sure we have places like Chinatown, but it doesn’t even compare to the monolith that is china. Lots of artists born and raised in china use their work to fight against the communist regime, and also to express themselves. I would love to visit China and learn about how that culture applies its learnings to sound art.
References
Discogs. (n.d.). Christiaan Virant. [online] Available at: https://www.discogs.com/artist/632708-Christiaan-Virant
Tate (n.d.). Qiu Zhijie born 1969. [online] Tate. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/qiu-zhijie-10259.
Yao, D. – Sound Art in China: Revolutions Per Minute.